April 16, 2024
Tammy in her new Pit Vipers from Keaton and Kendra and throwing up a peace sign during a pain-free moment before bed Monday April 15, 2024.
Well, folks. The oncologist did indeed pay us a visit yesterday and her words were music to our ears. The tumour markers in Tammy’s body have already dropped a significant amount (21%) over the weekend, far more significantly than they should have for such a small dose of chemo and in such a short period of time. This gave the oncologist the unlikely evidence she needed to continue forward with recommending chemo, and to even advocate to get us on a higher dose sooner.
The oncologist also said there a chance there is still some functioning liver left, and that it may just be suffocated by the tumours. Shrinking them may release the functioning liver to be useful again. We are nowhere near out of the woods, but the hope that comes with continuing treatment is fuel for us. We had been told to prepare to move to palliative today, and that we could have as little as only days left with Tam. Now, knowing her body is being so responsive to the chemo, we gear up to continue battling.
It was suggested that we feed her beet and carrot juice to support her liver, so Ro picked up a few “Ruby” juices from The Habit Project in Abbotsford, and Grandma Nancy brought some goodies as well to try. Ro also picked up a Pikachu Squishmellow stuffed animal as a gift to cheer her up because if you didn’t already know, Tammy is a top-notch Pokemon Go player. Tammy is currently in the post-chemo fatigue phase and she is laying down without speaking most days. She is still clear minded but can only squeeze out about one word at a time. She is still on the feeding tube, and the IV. Because of her days in the sun, she is looking a little less yellow and a little more tanned. It is difficult to see her struggle so much to sit up still, and she has now become too weak even to walk a few steps to the bathroom. We know that because she is going to continue treatment, we now need to look at the pic line and drain procedures. Certainly the permanent drain must happen sooner than later, as the temporary one has started to leak quite a bit, and the nurses are having to help us clean her up often. We did get her arm checked as well and heard the word that the swelling in her arm is NOT due to a clot, which we were relieved to hear.
We cannot thank you enough for your prayers. Please keep praying. Still for the chemo to keep kicking these tumour’s butts, and for Tammy’s pain levels, and for the upcoming procedures. Pray that the pharmacy team will choose to approve her oncologist’s request for a higher dose of chemo and 4 treatments in a row instead of 3 before they pause for a rest week, if that is safe for Tammy’s body. Even before all these things, though, pray now that her body would be able to function while all this pressure is still being placed on her organs by the fluid and tumours in her abdomen. This is causing a lot of issues, painful and distressing issues. Today, we’ve been in a loop of seeing Tammy attempt to either sleep or fight these many awful symptoms. The days are very long and excruciatingly difficult right now.
She needs the Lord’s comfort and healing.
With gratitude and love,
The Dyck Family
